For the InternatIonal coastal cleanupcatherinefox.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/ICC_Handbook.pdf · International Coastal Cleanup volunteers don’t just clean up marine debris,

For the InternatIonal coastal cleanup

ContentsWELCOME LETTER From Ocean Conservancy’s President and CEO .............................................................. 02

ChaPTER 1: Marine Debris Background ......................................................................................................... 03

ChaPTER 2: Data Collection ........................................................................................................................... 06

ChaPTER 3: Roles and Responsibilities of International Coastal Cleanup Coordinators ............................. 08

ChaPTER 4: how to Organize a Cleanup ........................................................................................................ 10

ChaPTER 5: Coordinating Publicity — a Media Relations Guide .................................................................. 16

ChaPTER 6: Local Partners .............................................................................................................................. 20

ChaPTER 7: Cleanup Materials and Supplies ................................................................................................. 23

ChaPTER 8: Underwater Cleanups .................................................................................................................. 25

AppendiCesa: International Coastal Cleanup Data Card (used to tally the results of the Cleanup) ................................. 26

B: Supply List ..................................................................................................................................................... 27

C: Tip sheet: Working with Volunteers ............................................................................................................. 28

D: International Coastal Cleanup Brochure ...................................................................................................... 29

E: International Coastal Cleanup Poster .......................................................................................................... 30

F: additional Resource for Boaters: Good Mate ............................................................................................... 31

G: Tips for Volunteers ........................................................................................................................................ 32

h: Photo/Video Release Form ........................................................................................................................... 33

I: Data Detective Poster ................................................................................................................................... 34

J: International Coastal Cleanup Volunteer Certificate of appreciation ......................................................... 35

K: International Coastal Cleanup Coordinator Report Form ........................................................................... 36

L: Sample Proclamation .................................................................................................................................... 37

M: International Coast Cleanup Sponsor List Form ......................................................................................... 38

N: Sample Letter of Inquiry for Sponsors ......................................................................................................... 39

O: International Coastal Cleanup Summary Card ........................................................................................... 40

trash doesn’t Fall From the sky, it falls from human hands.

But, just as human hands are the source of marine debris, so, too, are they

the salve. The solution to trash in the ocean is in our hands.

Vikki Spruill, President and CEO of Ocean Conservancy

1

Phot

o by

Car

oline

Spr

uill

Ocean Conservancy staff members gather to enjoy a Cleanup event.

Vikki SpruillPresident and CEO, Ocean Conservancy

deAr CoordinAtors,

i n January of 1986, one woman named

Linda Maraniss got the idea for a

beach cleanup that has grown into

a worldwide movement on behalf

of ocean health thanks to individuals

like Linda—and people like you.

For many of us, the call to help keep the ocean clean and healthy

comes through personal experience, and that’s how it was for

Linda. She had just moved to Texas from Washington, DC, where

she worked for Ocean Conservancy (then called the Center for

Environmental Education). On her first visit to the Gulf of Mexico,

she found herself thinking she had stumbled across a dump.

But what she saw was actually marine litter washed up by the tide:

gallon milk jugs, ketchup bottles, and florescent light tubes littered

the sand of the otherwise spectacular beach. Repelled by what she

saw on that Texas beach, she planned a beach cleanup. In just two

hours 2,800 Texans picked up 124 tons of trash.

Since 1986, almost seven million volunteers in more than 125

countries have been picking up millions of pounds of trash on one

day each year during the International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) and

helping Ocean Conservancy build a marine debris database that

provides a global snapshot of trash in the ocean. The published

data—the Marine Debris Index—raises awareness, inspires

cleanups, and shapes policy decisions.

Just as the Cleanup began with the efforts of one person, its

strength today is the hard work of individuals like you. Whether

you’re from Peru or Poland, whether you live on the ocean’s

shores or hundreds of miles inland, an abiding passion for our

ocean that surpasses shorelines and geographic boundaries will

connect you to everyone who is part of the remarkable Cleanup

network. Coordinators are our sea stars. Because your work is so

visible—scouting locations for cleanups, finding local sponsors,

mobilizing hundreds of thousands of volunteers, organizing data,

and publicizing the ICC—it brings the issue of trash in our ocean

out into the light for millions of people and attracts invaluable

support from every quarter.

Linda Maraniss says that first event was successful “because

we were so devoted and so directed.” Presumably you share that

calling, and that’s why you have volunteered to help coordinate

the world’s largest volunteer event on behalf of the ocean. So

please read on, and use this manual to plan your state or country

International Coastal Cleanup events. and don’t hesitate to

contact Ocean Conservancy if we can help as you begin your

invaluable contribution to the ICC.

For a sea change,

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marine debris: What It Is and Where It comes FromMarine debris is the term for any manufactured item that

ends up as trash in our ocean, lakes, or inland waterways.

More than an eyesore, trash in the ocean is one of the world’s

most pervasive pollution problems. It sickens and kills thousands

of marine animals and birds. It also undermines economies

based on tourism and fisheries. All kinds of trash, from cigarette

butts and fishing line to tires and large household appliances,

accumulate on beaches and beneath the water’s surface. All of

it shares a common origin: At a critical decision point, someone,

somewhere mishandled it, either thoughtlessly or deliberately.

There’s good news: We can prevent trash in the ocean.

Where does all the trash in the ocean originate? Knowing

the answer to that question leads to better management plans

and policies to stop it at the source. Ocean Conservancy collects

and tracks marine litter in two categories, distinguishing

between trash that starts out on land and trash that originates

on the water:

Land-based: Debris enters the water from a variety of

land-based sources, many located hundreds of miles inland.

All of the following can reach the sea through storm drain

systems, creeks, and rivers: Trash and waste from recreational

beachgoers and fishers, processors and transporters, material

manufacturers, land-based solid waste disposal and processing

facilities, illegal or inappropriate dumping, and littering.

Sewer overflows, malfunctioning sewage treatment plants,

and storm-water runoff also send debris into creeks, rivers,

and eventually the ocean.

You might assume that most marine debris comes from

marine activities like boating. But studies show that as much

as 80 percent comes from the land.

Waterway-based: Commercial fishing vessels, recreational

boats and cruise ships, merchant and military vessels, and

offshore petroleum platforms and their supply vessels are

the primary sources of water-based debris. This debris may

be introduced accidentally or intentionally.

But that’s just the beginning. Ocean Conservancy refines

our tracking even further. As you can see on the sample data

card (Appendix A), volunteers tally items according to the

following five debris-producing activities:

ChApter 1 marIne debrIs background

3

STaRT a SEa ChaNGEInternational Coastal Cleanup Coordinator handbook

Recreational and shoreline: Items like fast-food wrappers

and beverage containers from beachgoers, picnics, sports events,

and festivals along with litter washed from streets, parking lots,

and storm drains.

Ocean and waterway: Debris from recreational fishing

and boating; commercial fishing, cargo, military, and cruise

ships; and offshore industries like oil drilling.

Smoking-related: Items from smoking include cigarette

filters, cigar tips, lighters, and tobacco-product packaging.

Dumping-related: Illegal dumping includes things like

building materials, large household items, cars, and car parts.

Medical and personal hygiene: This category

includes syringes, condoms, and tampon applicators

disposed of improperly.

Impacts of marine debrisThe ocean is sick, and the impacts for all of us are far-reaching:

Human health and safety: Discarded syringes, condoms,

and tampon applicators can be a sign of more serious water

quality concerns that affect human health and safety. Specific

items that can pose an immediate safety threat include broken

glass that can cut bare feet and discarded rope, line, bags, or

sheeting that can entangle divers and disable boat propellers.

And plastics collect toxic compounds that then get into the

bodies of organisms that eat plastic debris in the sea; these

compounds may travel throughout the food web, though the

evidence on human health effects thus far is inconclusive.

Aesthetic and economic impacts: Shorelines covered

with litter, unattractive and often hazardous, keep tourists and

recreational users away and impact local economies. Trash

caught in propellers and motors can lead to expensive repairs.

And common debris items often last for weeks, months, or even

hundreds of years in marine environments.

NOTE: Estimated individual item timelines depend on product composition and environmental conditions.Source: South Carolina Sea Grant Consortium, South Carolina Department of Health & Environmental Control – Ocean and Coastal Resource Management, Centers for Ocean Sciences Education Excellence (COSEE) – Southeast and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

hoW long ’tIl It’s gone?Estimated decomposition rates of common marine debris items:

paper towel ......................................... 2 to 4 weeks

newspaper ................................................. 6 weeks

cotton rope ....................................... 1 to 5 months

apple core ............................................... 2 months

cardboard box ........................................ 2 months

Waxed milk carton ................................... 3 months

photo-degradable ................................... 6 monthsbeverage holder

plywood ................................................. 1 to 3 years

Wool socks ............................................ 1 to 5 years

plastic grocery bag ............................. 1 to 20 years

tin can ....................................................... 50 years

Foamed plastic cup ................................... 50 years

aluminum can ......................................... 200 years

plastic beverage holder .......................... 400 years

disposable diaper .................................... 450 years

plastic bottle ............................................ 450 years

Fishing line .............................................. 600 years

tin can ....................................................... 50 years

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Habitat destruction: Debris can affect the water quality

of aquatic habitats and also cause physical damage. Submerged

debris can cover coral reefs and smother sea grasses and other

bottom-dwelling species.

Wildlife entanglement and ingestion: Trash in the

water sickens, injures, and kills birds, sea turtles, and marine

mammals. Ocean life may eat things they shouldn’t. For

example, sea turtles may confuse floating plastic bags with

jellyfish, one of their favorite foods. Many animals cannot

regurgitate an item once they swallow it. Debris that will

not pass out of the stomach gives a false sense of fullness,

so some animals will stop eating and slowly starve to death.

Debris that entangles a living creature can hamper its ability

to move, inflict cuts, prevent eating, or cause suffocation.

Monofilament line, fishing nets, six-pack holders, and strapping

bands are some of the worst culprits for entanglements.

Global climate change: Marine debris plays a role in global

climate change. As living things in the ocean seek to adapt to

stresses like rising sea levels and warming temperatures brought

on by climate change, their resilience is compromised by many

other stresses including overfishing, coastal development, and

marine debris. By significantly reducing the impacts of these

additional stresses, including marine debris, marine wildlife

and ecosystems will have a better chance of adapting to

climate change.

For more information, download a PDF of the 2009 ICC report

A Rising Tide of Ocean Debris and What We Can Do About It,

including special sections on wildlife and global climate change

impacts, at www.coastalcleanup.org

International lawWhen confronted with the harmful effects of marine debris, your

first reaction might be, “There ought to be a law against this.”

Of course such laws do exist, including the International Marine

Pollution Treaty (MARPOL), which prohibits ocean dumping

of all ship-generated plastics and also regulates the dumping of

other garbage. The US Coastal Zone Management Act, another

important law, regulates land-based pollution into the water.

Unfortunately, these laws and others like them are hard to

enforce due to the widespread nature of marine debris across

many borders and the difficulty in identifying specific sources.

But individuals can play a significant role in enforcement

by reporting violations they observe.

And the data collected and recorded each year during the

International Coastal Cleanup is helping bolster efforts

to reduce trash in the ocean by pinpointing the sources

of marine debris so we can stop trash in its tracks.

debrIs that entangles a lIvIng creature can hamper its ability to move,

inflict cuts, prevent eating, or cause suffocation. Monofilament line, fishing nets,

six-pack holders, and strapping bands are some of the worst culprits for entanglements.

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ChApter 2 data collectIon

International Coastal Cleanup volunteers don’t just clean up

marine debris, they tally every item they find. They fill out

data cards (Appendix A) from shoreline, underwater, and

watercraft Cleanup events separately to ascertain how debris

differs above and below the waterline. Ocean Conservancy

then records and analyzes that information. The resulting

Marine Debris Index provides a global snapshot of the types

and sources of trash in the ocean.

Why Is data so Important?To combat unsightly and dangerous debris, we need to know

exactly what is out there and where it comes from. The Marine

Debris Index is the only country-by-country, state-by-state,

item-by-item listing of trash in the ocean. It is included in

our one-of-a-kind annual report on marine debris, which we

distribute to key decision makers in the US and around the

world. Our data is a proven tool for educating the public and

government officials about the problem of marine litter. The

data have influenced public policy on waste management,

prompted legislation, and inspired businesses, individuals,

and communities to focus on better ways to manage waste

like recycling programs, Adopt-a-Beach programs, and many

others. Simply put, better data means better decision-making.

data cardsOrder the data cards two to three months ahead of time.

To estimate the number of cards you will need, look at past

use in your area or figure one data card for every two to three

volunteers. You will distribute the cards to the volunteers on

the day of the Cleanup through zone captains or site captains.

Make sure volunteers:

• familiarize themselves with the data card format,

debris items listed, and instructions ahead of time;

• know that they only need to record things itemized on

the list (with the exception of items of local concern, i.e.,

litter that is not itemized on the card but occurs in large

numbers at a particular site);

• understand that even if an item does not appear on the

card, volunteers should collect and dispose of it properly.

Who does WhatOcean ConservancyOrganizes/supports the state and country coordinators

CoordinatorOrganizes the Cleanup at the state or country level

Zone CaptainOrganizes the Cleanup within the scope of counties or cities

Site CaptainOversees the Cleanup at a single location/site

For more detailed information, download a pdF of the Guide to Marine Debris and the International Coastal Cleanup at www.coastalcleanup.org.

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helpful tips For data collectionPlease instruct your zone and site captains to ensure the validity

and accuracy of our database by answering these questions:

Have you filled out the Cleanup site location information

section of the data card, including the zone or county

cleaned, country/state, and site name?

Location is key to our statistics, so please be accurate. Within

the US, zones are counties. Outside the US, zones can be

counties, parishes, regions, or districts. A site is the specific

Cleanup location. You can have more than one site in a zone,

and many zones in a state or country.

Did you conduct an underwater cleanup?

Keep underwater data separate from land-based data.

Fill out separate cards for each at a given site.

Have you referred to the Guide to Marine Debris and the

International Coastal Cleanup and the Data Detective

poster to help volunteers correctly identify types of debris?

These visual aids help avoid confusion.

Did you find any entangled animals, alive or dead?

Include the type of animal, whether it was alive

or dead, and what entangled it. YOU MUST NOT PICK UP

ANIMALS DEAD OR ALIVE WITHOUT ADVICE FROM

THE SITE CAPTAIN. Be sure each entangled animal only

gets counted once, even though it will remain where it was

found. Tag the animal with a note saying, “This has been

tallied on a data card, do not record again.”

Have you remembered to list the single most unusual item

you found in the space provided on the front of the card?

Coordinators should remind volunteers to report their unusual

finds on the data card—these are great attention-getters for

press coverage and education efforts.

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ChApter 3 roles and responsIbIlItIes oF InternatIonal coastal cleanup coordInators

Ocean Conservancy and the coordinators work together

to organize and implement the ICC.

ocean conservancyOcean Conservancy is the founder and worldwide coordinating

body of the ICC. Our role is endorsement, coordination,

communication, data analysis, public outreach and media

support, and national as well as international support:

Endorsement

Ocean Conservancy must recognize and sanction an individual/

organization to serve as an ICC coordinator before they can receive

materials or support. Ocean Conservancy reserves the right

to withdraw support from any ICC coordinating individual/

organization at our discretion. Ocean Conservancy will provide

letters of endorsement to ICC coordinators as appropriate.

Coordination

Ocean Conservancy supports state or country coordinators by

providing Cleanup materials and supplies. We also organize an

annual ICC conference to provide coordinators with information

about marine debris issues, volunteer engagement, education,

and outreach tools. We also moderate a forum in which

coordinators can share ideas and organizational strategies.

In addition, Ocean Conservancy supports and works to

expand the ICC by identifying new coordinators and helping

them launch their first Cleanup event.

Communication

Ocean Conservancy communicates frequently with coordinators,

primarily via email. Ocean Conservancy provides communication

and networking opportunities for partnering organizations to help

facilitate the flow of information about the ICC across the globe.

Data Analysis

Ocean Conservancy processes and analyzes the incoming data

from each Cleanup site. Coordinators will receive their own state

or country data analysis as well as US and international analysis

in electronic form. Coordinators can also download their data

online from the online Data Collection and Reporting Tool

at www.coastalcleanupdata.org (contact Ocean Conservancy

for your username and password). You will also receive copies

of the printed annual report. Individual state and country

reports are available upon request.

Public Outreach And Media Support

Ocean Conservancy performs public outreach activities in

support of the ICC as a whole, including producing the annual

Cleanup reports, publicizing Cleanup events, and actively

seeking solutions to stopping the marine debris problem at

the source. Media efforts include publicizing the ICC through

public service announcements (PSAs) as well as television,

radio, newspaper, and magazine articles and advertisements.

When regional reporters contact Ocean Conservancy, we

generally refer them to the state or country coordinator for

information and interviews. When talking with reporters,

please remember to mention that your work is part of the

larger ICC effort. Ocean Conservancy does recognize and list

state and country coordinators along with their local sponsors

in the annual reports and on our website.

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Partnership Support

Ocean Conservancy secures national and international sponsors

to provide funding for printing and shipping materials, program

development, and in-kind donations.

Without major partner support, Ocean Conservancy would not

be able to provide coordinators with supplies, coordination, data

analysis, and program support. In appreciation, please be sure

to recognize national and international ICC sponsors in media

and promotion along with the local sponsors.

Icc coordinatorsICC state and country coordinators are volunteers who donate

their time and resources as well as their organization’s time

and resources to this international movement. We respect and

value your commitment. The extensive ICC network serves

as a powerful conduit for ocean conservation efforts all over

the world. ICC coordinators have the following roles and

responsibilities when agreeing to participate in the ICC:

Liaison Between Organizations

You will serve as the liaison between Ocean Conservancy and

other organizations/groups in your country or state, promoting

the ICC. Coordinator outreach to local environmental groups

has been very successful in building the ICC.

Cleanup Materials And Supplies

You will order Cleanup materials (see supplies checklist, appendix

B) for all zone/site captains and expected participants, and serve

as the point of contact for Cleanup-related questions or supplies

(data cards, posters, information guides, etc.). To ensure timely

shipping, you must submit your “Cleanup Materials Order

Form” to Ocean Conservancy in April. We ship directly to

you for distribution.

Recruitment And Organization

One of your key duties is recruiting and organizing zone and/

or site captains to manage site coordination. Identify Cleanup

areas/sites and explain procedures to both captains and

volunteers, emphasizing safety and accurate data collection.

Inform volunteers of expectations before the event. You are

also responsible for all training and logistics with regard to

Cleanup details and volunteers.

Local Sponsor Identification

You may have ideas for your Cleanup event that require additional

funding, in which case it is your responsibility to identify local

sponsors. Ocean Conservancy does not provide any monetary

assistance. However, our staff is available to advise you on

fundraising, sponsorships, and marketing, and can provide

letters of support to accompany your grant proposals.

Site Location Identification

Please ensure that the zone location and site name (if more

than one per zone) and type of Cleanup event (beach/shoreline,

underwater, or watercraft) is indicated clearly on each card.

Reporting Data And Highlights

You will report preliminary results to Ocean Conservancy within

one week of the Cleanup by submitting via email the “Zone/Site

List” and a summary of your Cleanup event highlights.

Informing Ocean Conservancy about your Cleanup highlights

enables us to accurately represent your Cleanup to the media. The

zone/site information allows Ocean Conservancy to ensure that

all of your data cards are received, by enabling us to cross-check

your data cards with your zone/site list. Plan to obtain similar

reports from your site/zone captains so you can compile and

send preliminary statistics to Ocean Conservancy immediately

after the Cleanup.

Coordinators must be able to provide detailed information

on participation, from the number of volunteers to the weight

of the debris they collected and the distance they covered.

Data Card Collection

You will collect cards from site and zone captains, and ensure that

the data has been properly summarized on the summary form.

Submit data to Ocean Conservancy online at www.coastalcleanup.

org (contact us for your username and password) to make analysis

and reporting faster. While coordinators can still mail or email

cards to Ocean Conservancy, we strongly encourage you to enter

the data online.

Coordinator Contact Information

Please keep your contact information up-to-date. If you find you

can no longer serve as coordinator, inform us immediately so

we can find a replacement and guarantee continued participation

for your area in the ICC.

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ChApter 4 hoW to organIze a cleanup

A truly successful ICC event requires months of careful

planning, coordinating, and recruiting. This section describes

how to organize a Cleanup event, and offers a detailed plan for

coordinating associated logistics. If you and your organization

oversee a large network of local zone or site captains within your

area, we encourage you to assign some or all of the responsibilities

in this section to those individuals.

As ICC events in a state or country expand, the ICC coordinator

can no longer perform all of the event’s organizational functions

and volunteer recruitment efforts for each site. So as you add

more zones and sites, you will come to depend upon dedicated

and capable long-term volunteers serving as zone captains or site

captains. These captains usually recruit volunteers and organize

and supervise the event. Captains allow you more time to

fundraise, bring in more sites or zones, and find more partners.

How important are these helpers? If you can identify 25 zone

captains, then your direct contact is limited to those 25 individuals.

Those 25 zone captains can then work in turn with 25 site

captains. Now instead of managing 25 Cleanup events, you can

manage 625 sites – without having to contact each one directly!

Volunteers are at the heart of the ICC. For tips on working

with them, please see Appendix C.

zone captaIns

Z one captains are usually responsible for a

specific geographic area, county, parish, lake,

river, district, region, or town. Zone captains

will manage multiple beaches/sites, and work

with many different organizations and entities to find

volunteers. Zone captains distribute supplies and

materials from the ICC coordinator to their individual

site/beach captains. after the event, zone captains

compile all data cards and site summaries and pass

that information on to the ICC coordinator to submit

to Ocean Conservancy (online if possible). They should

also report any unique or interesting events to you.

If you prefer, you can assign the zone captain(s)

the job of summarizing and submitting the data.

sIte captaIns

A site captain organizes and facilitates the activities

that occur at a specific location on the day of the

event. Site captains will bring the supplies, set up

a registration table to distribute materials, sign

up volunteers, and inform them of their assigned tasks.

after the event, site captains collect all data cards and

other materials from the volunteers and return them to

the zone captain. Site captains also keep track of how

many people participated, how much trash was collected,

and how many miles of shoreline were cleaned. Site

captains may also be responsible for taking pictures,

gathering anecdotal information, and other duties.

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before the cleanup

1 Identify beaches and waterways in your area that

need to be cleaned and that are safe and accessible

to volunteers including boaters and divers.

• Ensure that you will have access to the site and that

you have the necessary permission to be at the site.

• Establish a “check-in” station where volunteers sign in and

receive trash bags, data cards, pencils, and instructions.

Identify potential volunteer check-in sites that will be clearly

visible and offer parking. For example, if you are conducting

a waterway cleanup, check-in could be located next to a boat

ramp or central area of a marina. You may want to post signs

or posters directing people to the proper location.

• Select site coordinators who can manage Cleanup activities

at each site.

• Once you have identified your Cleanup sites, check-in

locations, and the site coordinators, please notify your state

or country coordinator so they and Ocean Conservancy will

have the information handy when volunteers and media call.

2 Hold a site coordinators’ meeting.

• This meeting is your opportunity to distribute materials to

your site coordinators and make them understand what

they have to do. They should know about the importance of

data collection; how to fill out report forms; the importance

of keeping track of numbers of volunteers, trash collected

(weight, number of bags filled), and entangled animals found;

and the benefits of working with the media. all site coordinators

should visit their site well in advance of the Cleanup event

date, and decide where they will set up their check-in station,

where the dumpster and recycling container(s) should be

located, and exactly where volunteers will work.

• Decide on a date. Cleanup events are usually held on the third

Saturday in September, but may be held any time in September

or October to accommodate scheduling considerations such

as religious or commemorative holidays or extreme weather.

• Review what to do in case of health emergency (see #10)

or with dead or entangled animals (see #11)

3 Contact merchants and other potential donors who

can supply drinks, food, raffle prizes, or whatever else

you might need.

• Many merchants will jump at the chance to be involved

with such a positive community event. The ICC offers good

public relations for them, and you can make it even better

by remembering to mention all your donors and sponsors

in press releases or conversations with the press. Donations

of this type also encourage volunteer participation.

4 Recycle.

• Contact recyclers in your area who will accept aluminum,

glass, and plastic bottles, and make arrangements for them

to process items after the Cleanup. Recycling the aluminum,

glass, plastic, and, in some cases, other metals, has always

been a major emphasis of the ICC. Some towns may have

recycling coordinators in their solid waste departments who

can assist you.

• Plan ahead for the collection of recyclables: 1) have

volunteers sort as they collect, or 2) identify a special

group of volunteers who will work during and after

the Cleanup to sort the recyclables.

We recommend the first option, which more coordinators find

easy and successful, but you may use any method that works for

you. Before volunteers begin working, be sure to remind them

to separate recyclable items.

5 Locate a waste hauler who will donate services the

day of the Cleanup to haul away trash after the event.

• Contact a local waste-collection company in your area.

Your municipal government may help—and may even waive

the entrance fees at landfills or incinerators for the event.

• Plan the removal of trash bags. Will volunteers carry them

back to the check-in point, or will they leave them along the

way as they fill them to be picked up later? If you choose

the first option, have your volunteers start at the far end

of the zone they will be cleaning and work their way back

to the check-in point.

11


6 Plan ahead for handling medical (syringes, etc.)

and sewage (condoms and tampons) waste.

• Children should be instructed NOT TO TOUCh

any of this type of debris.

• Suggestions for adults include wearing gloves, putting

syringes in plastic gallon containers, or using flags or

surveying tape to mark the location of this debris so

a coordinator can return to pick it up after the Cleanup.

7 Arrange to measure or estimate weight of filled bags.

We are always asked, “how many pounds of trash did volunteers

pick up during the Cleanup?” There are several ways to calculate

the weight of trash collected.

• Secure a scale similar to those used in grocery stores

or one with a hook on it to weigh each bag of trash before

it is heaved into a dumpster.

• Sometimes your waste hauler can give you the total weight

of what they hauled away (either a real weight or a good

estimate made by the number of filled dumpsters).

• You can estimate the total weight by weighing a random

sample of ten filled bags of trash, calculating the average

weight per bag, and multiplying that number by the total

number of trash bags.

Ocean Conservancy uses 15 pounds per bag as a standard weight

for conversions in the event that alternative weighing methods

are not available. Simply multiply the number of bags by 15.

8 Solicit volunteers and work with the media.

• Distribute posters and brochures (appendices D and E;

PDFs available from Sonya Besteiro at 202-351-0493

or [email protected]).

• Contact local schools, civic organizations, Chambers of

Commerce, environmental groups, industries, and others

willing to participate in the Cleanup. Remember boaters

and marinas (appendix F).

• Use the media announcements we send to you, modify

them or create your own, and distribute to local media

as well as the groups listed above who may have their own

newsletters or flyers.

• If you have time, contact specific environmental reporters

(print and TV/radio media) in your area who may be interested

in a “before and after” story. Get a photographer out to shoot

pictures of a Cleanup site before the event to illustrate the

trash problem, or supply the press with some photos of your

own. advance press coverage will help encourage participation

the day of the event.

• The state or country coordinator will often send media

advisories across the state or country. however, the media

more often are interested in your local story, and a personal

call helps get information on the Cleanup announced and

published. always mention that your local event is part of

the statewide/countrywide (and international) Cleanup

coordinated by your state or country coordinator and

Ocean Conservancy.

• Let volunteers know what to bring and what to expect

on the day of the event (appendix G).

9 Maintain a list of people who respond and express

interest to get an indication of the number of volunteers

to expect at your Cleanup sites.

• This is optional, but may be important in case you have too

many people wanting to go to a specific site. You can assign

extra people to sites that may need more helping hands.

• also, consider how volunteers will be dispersed during

the Cleanup to cover your whole Cleanup area. For example,

some zone captains mark off sections every 1/8 of a mile

(or whatever distance is appropriate), and estimate how many

volunteers at a minimum are needed for each section. Wooden

stakes work well as markers, as do telephone poles along

a parallel road. You or your site coordinators may want

to have maps of the Cleanup site available for volunteers.

12


10 Be prepared for health emergencies.

• Make first-aid kits available at each Cleanup site or check-in

location for small emergencies like cuts and scrapes.

• You and your site coordinator should also review what to do

in the event of a major health emergency (heat exhaustion

or heatstroke, broken bone, etc.). Write out a plan, locate the

closest hospital or emergency facility, and identify the quickest

route to get there. Some communities may want to have rescue

personnel standing by, particularly for areas expecting several

hundred volunteers.

• Try to obtain walkie-talkies, two-way radios, or cell phones

for site captains. (This is useful for staying in touch with

each other, regardless of possible emergencies.)

• Provide safety tips to volunteers at the check-in station – e.g.,

drink plenty of water, wear sunscreen, etc.

• Find out which of your volunteers know basic first aid

or have other medical training.

11 Make sure volunteers know what to do with dead,

entangled, or injured animals.

• Contact your local animal/wildlife rescue facilities to let them

know that a Cleanup event will take place and that volunteers

may find injured wildlife. ask how to properly care for and

transport injured animal, and which animals volunteers may

and may not handle.

• Generally, leave dead wildlife alone. But remove dead animals

entangled in debris so that other animals don’t become

entangled as well.

• Report all entanglements and injuries or accidents

on the data cards.

12 Arrange for someone to take photos or video

of the event.

The state or country coordinator and Ocean Conservancy need

digital photos of volunteers participating in Cleanup events at the

different types of sites from around your state or country. We also

can use photos of entangled animals. Pictures are used in the final

report, brochures, educational slide shows, and other publications.

• Move in close and take shots of people picking up debris

and filling out data cards.

• Common pitfalls: photos taken from behind or from too

far away and pictures of people standing around.

• Please share video footage that may be useful for future public

service announcements or other educational purposes.

• Label all photos clearly with the photographer’s name,

site location, and date.

• Please use photo/video release form (appendix h).

• Ocean Conservancy will have unlimited and non-exclusive

use of photos for Ocean Conservancy publications,

website, products, and other uses to promote Ocean

Conservancy’s work.

generally, leave dead WIldlIFe alone. But remove dead animals entangled

in debris so that other animals don’t become entangled as well.

13


on cleanup day

1 Set up your check-in points.

• Be prepared before your volunteers start arriving. Set up

your check-in station with all materials; be sure that your

pencils are sharpened ahead of time and that sign-in sheets

and photo/video release forms are ready for volunteers.

• Post signs, if necessary, to direct volunteers to parking areas,

the check-in station, and the area they will clear of debris.

Locate and mark dumpsters and recycling bins for them.

• Display the Data Detective poster at each site (appendix I).

• You may also want to display actual examples of less-familiar

marine debris items.

2 Coordinate volunteers at Cleanup sites.

Zone captains and site coordinators should distribute materials

and instruct the volunteers on the following points as they arrive

at the check-in point:

• have all volunteers sign in so that we have an accurate

record of the number of participants. Your state or country

coordinator and/or Ocean Conservancy will ask you for the

total number of volunteers at your Cleanup event.

• emphasize the importance of data collection. Cataloging the

type, amount, and location of debris found during the Cleanup

provides information vital to identifying the sources of the

trash. This is the top priority of the ICC – these numbers

distinguish the ICC from other cleanups. Volunteers use

identical data cards, and we compile all the information into

a comprehensive annual report. Ocean Conservancy shares

the data with the press as well as decision makers who use

it to create long-term solutions. The data also strengthen

citizen education programs.

• Show volunteers how to use tick marks to record debris

items; words such as “lots” and “many” are not useful

for data. Encourage volunteers to keep any unusual debris

separate so that you can show it to the media or use it for

educational programs.

• To facilitate data collection and sorting of recyclable trash,

encourage volunteers to work in teams of four or five. Each

volunteer in the team should be given one bag for aluminum

and one for plastic bottles, and several others for glass.

Instruct them to sort as they go. One volunteer should be

designated the “data captain” and be responsible for recording

the items picked up by the other volunteers (they can call out

the items as they go). This person will become familiar with

the card in short order, making this task easier.

• Instruct volunteers on what to do if they find dead

or entangled animals, and how to report them.

• Instruct the volunteers on what to do with the filled

bags of trash.

• This step is very important. Tell volunteers to return the

cards to the check-in station immediately after the Cleanup.

3 As the volunteers finish, collect all data cards.

Place a clearly labeled box at the check-in station. Review the

cards to ensure that they were properly filled out, particularly

with the zone name and site name. Tip: You may want to fill out

zone and site information on the data cards before the Cleanup

to ensure accuracy.

Site coordinators can start reviewing the data cards for any

entangled animals not previously reported verbally, foreign

items, trash from cruise lines, etc.

• Be sure that volunteers get their hats, T-shirts, or any other

giveaways before leaving the site. Distribute any awards that

you choose to give out (for most recyclables, most unusual

item, etc.) on-site as well.

• Present an ICC certificate of appreciation to volunteers

who went above and beyond (appendix J).

data cards distinguish the Icc from other cleanups.

4 Oversee sorting of the recyclable debris and other trash.

• Make sure the waste hauler takes all the trash away,

and see that that no materials are left behind. Litter left

after the Cleanup is bad news!

14


Immediately after the cleanup

1 Be prepared for a phone call. Ocean Conservancy

or the press may ask for some statistics on the evening

of the Cleanup or shortly thereafter. You should be compiling

Cleanup information such as the total number of people

participating, pounds collected, and miles cleaned in your

Cleanup, any entanglements, unusual items, number of trash

bags, etc. Your state or country coordinator may provide

you with forms to fill out. Please have your numbers ready by

the phone. The media start contacting Ocean Conservancy

as early as Saturday evening, so have your best estimate,

if not the final counts, available when your coordinator calls.

2 Gather all used and unused data cards. Ensure that

the completed cards are properly coded and sorted by site, and

send them to Ocean Conservancy. Use the online data reporting

tool if at all possible; otherwise email or mail your cards.

3 Keep data cards sorted by site. This allows data entry

to be as uncomplicated as possible and helps with accuracy.

4 Please copy any newspaper articles, media

announcements, or other information and send to Ocean

Conservancy. We greatly appreciate this information so we can

see how our media relations efforts are working, and we keep

media coverage on file to demonstrate our success to sponsors.

5 Congratulate yourself, your site coordinators,

and all volunteers for an excellent job! Recognize

your zone captains and/or site coordinator with a follow-up

thank-you letter or certificate.

6 Consider a follow-up survey. Some state and country

coordinators check in with their zone/site captains several

weeks after the Cleanup to gauge the success of the materials

developed for promotion of the Cleanup, effectiveness

of media coverage, and other aspects of the event in order

to make the next year’s Cleanup more efficient and effective.

7 Return the “ICC Coordinator Report Form”

to Ocean Conservancy no later than November 15

(Appendix K).

15


ChApter 5 coordInatIng publIcIty – a medIa relatIons guIde

Earning media coverage is an important part of the International

Coastal Cleanup, both to recruit volunteers for the Cleanup and

to publicize their great work at the event. Media coverage also

provides a great opportunity to acknowledge our wonderful local

and national sponsors. As the state or country coordinator, you

are key to promoting the world’s largest volunteer effort for our

ocean, lakes, rivers and waterways.

Ocean Conservancy is your media relations partner. We are here

to provide advice and tools to help you succeed. You can reach out

with press releases, media advisories, editorials, and story pitches

to ignite reporter interest for the Cleanup and focus their attention

on your volunteers’ efforts. We will provide media advisory and

press release templates to help you promote the Cleanup, and host

media relations webinars to answer questions and offer tips.

If funds allow, consider hiring a photographer or videographer

to take photos of the volunteers in action, as well as before and

after shots of the site. Close-ups of the trash collected can be

fascinating, and mountains of filled bags also tell a story. If

you can’t hire a professional, assign a volunteer or two to take

as many photos as they can that day to capture the essence of

the event. Please get signed release forms (Appendix H) from

anyone pictured, especially children. We encourage you to

share photos and video with Ocean Conservancy for use in

our publications and on our website. And consider uploading

your photos to our flickr account (www.flickr.com/groups/

coastalcleanup/). And look for the Cleanup’s group on Facebook.

Be sure to tag photos with ICC/location/photographer.

16


types of coverage you might seek:• Calendar listing – a detailed mention of the event

in a publication’s calendar

• Preview story – a story about the effort and the volunteers

who make it happen, scheduled to appear before the event

to inspire readers to participate

• Event coverage – a story to run the day of or following the

event with all of the most interesting, engaging details

• Letter to the Editor – a letter to the editor about the

importance of the Cleanup and living year-round

with ocean health in mind (we call that “living blue”),

to run around the time of the Cleanup

• Opinion editorial or “op-ed”– an article that expresses

the writer’s thoughts and concerns

• Editorial – an article that expresses the opinion

of the editors or publishers

• Broadcast news – a television segment that runs a story on

the Cleanup, which may include interviews with volunteers/

coordinators in the studio, on location, or by satellite

• Talk radio – an interactive piece between the journalist

and the coordinator

• Radio news – a news item about the Cleanup

mentioned on the air

• Public service announcement – a radio or TV

pre-messaged and free ad about the event

• a proclamation – In the United States, this ceremonial

document is provided by the office of your local mayor

or state governor as a public service, and is a great way

to raise awareness about the International Coastal Cleanup

(appendix L). Outside the US, contact your government

officials to find out if a proclamation is an option. ask for

instructions and find out how much lead time is required.

Once the proclamation is made, set up a photo shoot with

your government official to further publicize your event!

before the cleanupThe first step is to read the newspapers, listen to the radio shows,

and watch the news programs you think might want to cover your

event. You should identify reporters and broadcasters who are

covering environmental or community issues as the ones most

likely to show interest in the Cleanup. Getting them interested in

the story is like pitching a baseball; make it easy for them, and

they’ll want to hit a home run. Tailor your suggestion—your story

pitch—to fit their program or publication. Point out connections

that will interest them. Contacting a writer who has covered a

similar subject in the past is a great start, or offer a new take on

an old problem. Draft a media advisory (templates available from

Ocean Conservancy) or a short pitch letter about your specific

Cleanup and how it fits in with the global effort to end the

problem of trash in our ocean and waterways.

key messages• Ocean Conservancy’s International Coastal Cleanup is the

world’s largest volunteer effort for our ocean and waterways.

In 2008 alone, 400,000 volunteers in 100 countries picked

up an astounding seven million pounds of trash along

beaches and waterways.

• Whether we live near a coast or hundreds of miles inland,

we are all connected to the ocean. It helps provide much

of the food, water, and oxygen we need to survive. The ocean

is fundamentally our life support system.

• Marine debris is more than just an eyesore. It’s one of the

most pervasive pollution problems threatening the world’s

ocean and waterways – and it’s entirely preventable.

• Trash travels on the wind and waterways and through

storm drains to the ocean.

• Take action. Go to www.coastalcleanup.org to sign up

for the ICC, and remember to reduce, reuse, and recycle.

17


Working With reporters: preparation is everything

• Contact journalists early (a month ahead for calendar

inclusion, and weeks in advance for news coverage) so they

can plan ahead, and be aware that you might need to

speak with a few people before finding the right reporter.

• Be friendly and enthusiastic; you are speaking for the efforts

of all your volunteers.

• Offer statistics from previous years, and resources from

Ocean Conservancy to help provide the global perspective

to your local, regional, state, or country story.

• Respect deadlines. ask when the reporter needs the

information; make sure you get back by that time.

on the day of the cleanuphave a few statistics from the report ready for the media

at your fingertips:

• Describe how our volunteers record every piece of trash

collected, and explain that Ocean Conservancy compiles

the data into the Marine Debris Index, the world’s only

country-by-country, state-by-state, item-by-item snapshot

of trash in our ocean, lakes, rivers, and streams.

• During the [year] International Coastal Cleanup nearly x

volunteers in x countries removed x million pounds of trash.

• Be ready with the Top Ten marine debris items found.

• Give the number of entangled animals found and mention

some of the things that entangled them, such as fishing

nets, bags, rope, and balloon string.

• Reinforce the message that trash travels. Litter can travel

to the ocean from hundreds of miles inland. a plastic bag

dropped on a city street in Lincoln, Nebraska, makes its way

down a storm drain, river, lake, or stream and ultimately

reaches the ocean. That bag in the water resembles a

jellyfish, and a sea turtle might eat it and choke to death.

• State that the Cleanup is now entering its 24th year.

• Tell reporters the history of the Cleanup, noting that it began

in 1986 with one woman walking along the beach in Texas.

Disgusted by the amount of trash she saw, she organized

a beach cleanup in which 2,800 Texans picked up 124 tons

of trash in just two hours.

during your Interview…• Practice delivering two or three key messages—then make

those points throughout the interview. Use examples and

stories from your Cleanup to illustrate the messages.

• The reporter may ask questions that don’t focus on your key

points. You can use ”word bridges” to direct the interview

toward the messages you want to emphasize. Bridges

include: “That’s an interesting question, but I think the

real issue here is…” or, “I think what’s important is…”

Those phrases give a heads-up to a reporter that you are going

to say something critical, perhaps a headline statement.

• Keep your confidence high when you are bridging, and when

the reporter says, “But you didn’t answer my question,” go

right back to your bridge message or go to another message.

after two or three times, they will realize you are not going to

answer their question and move on to points you wish to make.

For Radio

• Shorten your messages into phrases, rather than using

longer sentences.

• Place your key messages and statistics in front of you

when on the phone. Use examples!

• Give a website or contact information so listeners can follow

up and get more information about the Cleanup or participate.

If you don’t have a website for your Cleanup event, mention

www.oceanconservancy.org.

• Let your personality show; speak naturally and be yourself.

18


For TV

• Keep your energy level high, and be friendly and cooperative

with the reporter.

• Think before you speak and give short answers – try to

think in ten-second sound bites. Use examples and stories

to illustrate your initial points.

• Be aware of your facial expressions and gestures – they

should reinforce your point, not distract the viewers.

• You may only get a few seconds of airtime, so be sure

to offer a place for viewers to get more information,

your website or www.coastalcleanup.org.

• Smile at the beginning and end of the interview and nod

in a friendly, agreeable way.

For Print

• Prepare “quotable quotes,” short anecdotes, and current

news items that make your message come alive.

• Before going into an interview, think about the primary

points you wish to make, and also what you don’t want to

say. Stick to a plan as much as possible—talk about what

YOU wish to talk about.

• When possible, provide concise written material with

examples, anecdotes, statistics, and photos when available.

The website www.oceanconservancy.org can be a good

source to offer media to provide a global perspective,

photos, and copies of the Marine Debris Index.

after the cleanupThe relationship with the media doesn’t end after the last

cigarette butt is picked up. It should continue throughout the

year, especially in the weeks immediately following, which is

prime time for stories about the event. Call your media contacts

with news and keep them informed – you want to be a trusted

source on this and other issues.

beFore goIng Into an IntervIeW, think about the primary points you wish to

make, and also what you don’t want to say. Stick to a plan as much as possible—talk

about what YOU wish to talk about.

19


ChApter 6 local partners

Each year, Ocean Conservancy works with funders and sponsors

who support the ICC, allowing us to continue to provide

coordinators with free data cards, posters, trash bags (in the US),

national publicity, and other materials and services. They also

support training (like webinars and the annual conference) and

coordination and the publication of Cleanup results in the annual

report. Without them, there would be no global ICC network

making great strides to eliminate marine litter. We encourage

you to recognize the wonderful generosity of these companies by

listing their names along with local sponsors in all press releases,

brochures, and flyers promoting your event. a current list of ICC

sponsoring partners is available at www.coastalcleanup.org.

and we can provide a listing for you to include in

promotional materials.

as an ICC coordinator, you are responsible for securing local

sponsorships to support the funding needs of your local Cleanup

event not covered by Ocean Conservancy (such as gloves, banners,

T-shirts, beverages, etc.) that you might choose to provide to your

volunteers the day of the event. We encourage you to focus on local

businesses, grant-making foundations, and others. When you

approach potential partners, keep these points in mind:

• the request – Don’t assume potential sponsors know all the

details about the Cleanup; give them a clear picture of how

trash impacts our ocean and waterways and how the project

makes a difference, especially in the community you serve.

To better tailor your request for aid, research the business or

foundation to determine their goals when supporting projects

in their community by reviewing the company’s website, news

articles, and the Foundation Directory (visit the Foundation

Center’s website www.foundationcenter.org to determine

if there is a library in your area offering free access to the

directory). Be sure to explain how litter on land can become

marine debris. and look for ways to connect your efforts

to the sponsor’s interest. For example, is there a litter-filled

beach nearby that the Cleanup could help address? Or does

the company have an interest in ensuring that their product

packaging is properly disposed of and/or recycled? The

Cleanup provides the perfect opportunity for education

and raising awareness.

20


• the funder’s goal – a business will want to draw something

of value from the event, like visibility or publicity. Keep in mind

that many companies are beginning to set guidelines and

review requests in the same way as foundations. a foundation

will have specific goals based on their guidelines for using

their funds in a meaningful way—such as projects that help

improve the environment or address litter.

• product or business exclusivity – Some funders may wish to

be set apart from others by being the “only sponsor” in their

brand category. For example, a local supermarket may

respond well if you promise not to solicit their competition

to be a sponsor. The decision to provide exclusivity varies by

organization and event; review your budget goals, sponsor

prospect list, and other facts to determine if this approach

makes the most sense for your event.

• project differentiation – Describe what sets your program

apart. Examples include highlighting the number of years in

a row that you’ve held a Cleanup event and emphasizing that

the local event is synchronized with others worldwide through

the International Coastal Cleanup. Make your event unique,

and help the sponsor see the value of their support and the

benefits to the community (human health, tourism, conserving

wildlife areas, etc.).

• results – Tout the success of previous Cleanups so they

decide it makes good business sense to support the

project. Cite local statistics about the number of people

participating, the amount of trash collected, and the type

of media coverage received.

• promotion – Coordinate with local sponsors to promote the

Cleanup in their newspaper, radio, and television advertising

utilizing your event/program messaging. Remember to list

national and local sponsors in press releases, brochures,

posters, banners, etc.

Steps you can take when soliciting partners for your event:

• develop talking points. Include facts about your local Cleanup

activities as well as the connection to the international effort.

Write an “elevator speech”: Think about how you would tell

someone about your work on a one-minute elevator ride and

give your presentation as much impact as possible.

• develop a program budget. List everything you will

need help with to make your Cleanup a success (including

advertisements, refreshments, prizes, fees, publicity,

printing) before you seek funds or in-kind donations.

• develop a list of potential local funders. ask yourself

these questions:

What companies or foundations are in my

community? Do they support community efforts/

environmental projects?

Who is the right person to talk to? Do I or someone

I know have any connections to this person

or their company?

What goods or services do they provide?

What is their history of donating or sponsoring?

What involvement has this sponsor had with the ICC

and/or your organization?

Does this organization have a formalized sponsor

request process? Does the ICC qualify?

how will this sponsor benefit from an association

with the ICC?

What type of recognition will they receive?

how many people involved in the ICC event

will be exposed to the sponsor?

how will this business benefit from involvement

in environmental projects?

make your event unIque, and help the sponsor see the value

of their support and the benefits to the community.

21


• after developing a list, approach potential contributors based

upon how well their funding objectives align with your program

goals. Most companies are planning their sponsorship budgets

during the third quarter of their calendar year (typically in the

fall). Make sure you approach them early as the approval

process for formal partnerships can take several months.

• When you approach businesses, try to involve their

employees. Often the best relationships come about after a

corporation’s volunteers have been involved for many years.

These associations often result in financial support.

• once successful in securing financial or in-kind support,

make sure to thank your donors, both privately and publicly.

If you are in the US, the Internal Revenue Service website

provides a guideline for properly acknowledging sponsors.

(Note there are differences for letters recognizing cash or

in-kind support.)

• please send your final list (appendix m) to ocean conservancy.

Forward it as soon as possible and no later than November 15

so we can include your information in the annual ICC report.

We have provided a sample letter (appendix N) that you can tailor

to your needs when you write to prospective funders inviting them

to become sponsors. For additional advice on how to work with

sponsors or a letter of endorsement from Ocean Conservancy

(allow 2-3 weeks for processing) please contact Sonya Besteiro

at 202-351-0493 or [email protected].

Ocean Conservancy is also happy to provide letters of support

for your fundraising efforts. Please contact the ICC staff to

request a letter, and allow two to three weeks for processing.

When you approach busInesses, try to involve their employees. Often the best

relationships come about after a corporation’s volunteers have been involved for many

years. These associations often result in financial support.

22


ChApter 7 cleanup materIals and supplIes

Ocean Conservancy provides coordinators with materials to

facilitate their participation in the International Coastal Cleanup

(ICC). The following materials are provided each year, with some

variation as needed. You will receive a “Cleanup Materials Order

Form” from Ocean Conservancy in early April and must submit

your order no later than May 1. Ocean Conservancy will ship

materials to US coordinators in June and to coordinators in other

countries in July. If and when available, Ocean Conservancy will

also offer promotional videos, video public service announcements,

and/or print public service announcements.

data cardsData cards are vital to the Cleanup’s success because the Cleanup

is more than a one-day effort – it is a year-round movement

to solve the marine debris problem, and the data enable us to

educate and inspire people. They provide information on sources

and behaviors, and set the ICC apart from other cleanup events.

How many data cards will you need? Typically, two to three

volunteers will work on one data card. Estimate the number of

participants you expect or increase last year’s participation by

five to ten percent, and divide by two to three. For instance, if you

expect 1,000 people, order 300-400 cards. Please be accurate in

your order, as we print a finite amount of cards each year. Spanish,

French, Portuguese, and English versions are available in print

from Ocean Conservancy. PDFs you can print are available in

Russian, Chinese, and Italian.

Ocean Conservancy must receive all data as soon as possible

after a Cleanup event and no later than November 15. Meeting

that deadline ensures that your country or state is fairly and

accurately represented in Ocean Conservancy’s analysis. Ocean

Conservancy strives to process and report the ICC data results

in the most timely and efficient manner possible. Your prompt

response is an essential part of the reporting process.

guide to marine debris and the International coastal cleanupThis booklet contains marine debris information and helpful

descriptions of all items listed on the data card. It provides

details on the sources and activities causing marine debris.

For use by zone or beach captains as a reference when

volunteers have questions, it is NOT for distribution to

volunteers. We no longer provide copies; please request

the PDF to download and print as needed (Sonya Besteiro

at 202-351-0493 or [email protected]).

23


postersPromotional poster: Ocean Conservancy will provide promotional

posters for use in advertizing your local Cleanup event(s). These

have space for you to write in local contact information and/or

Cleanup sites and times. It is small enough to mail and to post

on storefronts.

Data Detective poster: This bilingual (English/Spanish,

English/French, English/Portuguese) poster identifies the

types of debris to be recorded on the data card. It is ideal

for check-in locations to help educate your volunteers.

We recommend one poster per site or registration table.

brochureOcean Conservancy’s ICC brochure can help you promote

involvement. It highlights the problem of marine debris, the

history and success of the Cleanup, the importance of the data,

and more.

certificateOcean Conservancy prints ICC certificates of appreciation for

distribution to your zone captains and sponsors. Order only

enough for them and the occasional individual who merits

special recognition.

trash bags (us only)How many trash bags will you need? Typically one or two per

person. Estimate the number of participants you expect (or

increase last year’s results by five to ten percent) and multiply

by one or two. For example, if you expect roughly 1,000 people,

order 1,000 to 2,000 bags. Please be conservative, as they are

expensive to produce and ship. These are donated by generous

sponsors, and Ocean Conservancy receives a limited quantity.

ICC trash bags are only available to US coordinators because

shipping overseas is prohibitively expensive.

checklist and data reporting FormsEach year, you will receive a checklist and data reporting forms

that must be completed and returned to Ocean Conservancy by

November 15. This includes:

• people, pounds, and miles report (ppm): Ocean Conservancy

will be looking for the number of people particpating, pounds

collected, and miles cleaned from each Cleanup event site

(appendix K).

• sponsor list: Please list all sponsors for your state/country

Cleanup event to be included in the International Coastal

Cleanup report (appendix M).

• summary card for each cleanup event site: Each Cleanup

event site should have its own summary card (appendix O).

This card has the totals for all of the debris collected at that

site. Make sure the site name, county (or zone), state, and

country are clearly labeled as well as the PPM for the site.

Please note: This information can be submitted via an online data

collection site at www.coastalcleanupdata.org (username and

password necessary, contact Ocean Conservancy for yours).

ocean conservancy’s Icc brochure can help you promote involvement.

It highlights the problem of marine debris, the history and success of the Cleanup,

the importance of the data, and more.

24


Scuba divers volunteering for underwater Cleanup events around

the world have been instrumental in providing a complete picture

of the effects of marine debris. Much of what we see and remove

on land is also found beneath the water’s surface. Divers also

witness firsthand the harm to the environment and wildlife by

abandoned fishing nets, fishing line, and a large range of other

submerged debris.

Since 1994, Project AWARE Foundation has partnered with

the Ocean Conservancy to coordinate underwater cleanups

for the ICC. Removal of marine debris from underwater ocean,

lake, and river environments is just as important as tackling

the problem onshore.

Project AWARE currently coordinates underwater Cleanup

event efforts in more than 110 countries and territories of the

world, broadening ICC’s reach as more countries join the effort

each year. Thousands of divers across the globe participate

underwater, helping make the International Coastal Cleanup

the largest volunteer effort of its kind.

coordinating underwater cleanup eventsBe sure to take into account special considerations when

planning an underwater event. Plan appropriately and work

in association with a certified dive professional, dive center,

or resort. These dive organizations will have the necessary

liability insurance and training to correctly supervise the

activity, can ensure that all dive volunteers are properly

trained, and can provide the necessary emergency assistance

if required. Proper planning and diver safety are critical when

conducting underwater events. Coordinators can sign up

online with Project AWARE (www.projectaware.org) for the

latest information, safety tips, tools, and support materials

to help you get organized.

Events registered with Project AWARE will be listed on www.

projectaware.org so that volunteer divers can locate the nearest

underwater Cleanup event. Underwater cleanup coordinators also

receive special materials for divers including mesh bags for

underwater debris collection and the “Beach and Underwater

Cleanup Guide” on CD-ROM with additional support materials.

To help ensure data return efforts are not duplicated, underwater

coordinators registered with Project AWARE return their data to

Project AWARE Foundation. Project AWARE works directly with

Ocean Conservancy to make sure efforts are correctly tabulated

for both land and underwater efforts and count towards long

term solutions.

For additional underwater cleanup tips, a free underwater cleanup

guide, or answers to questions about how to get started, contact

[email protected] or visit www.projectaware.org.

ChApter 8 underWater cleanups

25


iNTErNaTiONal cOaSTal clEaNup DaTa carD (uSED TO Tally ThE rESulTS Of ThE clEaNup)

Volunteers record every item they find on this easy-to-use card. Data cards are distributed at each site on the day

of the event along with instructions on how to fill them out correctly. Available from Sonya Besteiro at 202-351-0493

or [email protected]. You can mail the cards to Ocean Conservancy, but entering data online

at www.coastalcleanupdata.org is faster and easier. (Contact Ocean Conservancy for your username and password.)

appendIX a

26

International Coastal Cleanup Coordinator handbook

appendIX b

Icc data cardPlease order one data card for every two to three volunteers.

For example, order 300-350 data cards for 1,000 volunteers.

Available in English, Spanish, French, and Portuguese, Russian

(PDF Format Only), Chinese (PDF Format Only), and Italian

(PDF Format Only).

Icc summary cardThe summary card is to be completed only by the ICC zone/

site captain. The zone/site captains will be responsible for

compiling all the data at their Cleanup site. All summary cards

will be mailed back to the state/country coordinator. Note:

Please order one summary card per Cleanup site. For example,

for 30 sites, order 30 summary cards. Available in English,

Spanish, French, and Portuguese.

Icc data detective posterThis poster is an excellent resource for instructing volunteers

on how to use the ICC data card. We suggest that these are

posted at check-in areas and are used by your site captains.

Note: Order one for each site or registration desk. Available in

English/Spanish combination, English/French combination,

and English/Portuguese combination.

Icc brochuresThe International Coastal Cleanup brochure can help you promote

your ICC event. The brochure contains information on the

history of the ICC, the problem of marine debris, and how to get

involved. Available in English, Spanish, French, and Portuguese.

Icc event posterOcean Conservancy will provide promotional posters. Posters

are approximately 11” x 17” and advertise the International Coastal

Cleanup with space to write in your local Cleanup information.

Available in English, Spanish, French, and Portuguese.

trash bags (us only)You can expect to need 1-2 trash bags for every volunteer.

Therefore, if you expect 1,000 volunteers, order 1,500–1,750

trash bags.

volunteer certificates of appreciationCertificates for the Cleanup are available to you for zone captains

and/or sponsors. These certificates carry the signature of Ocean

Conservancy’s President & CEO Vikki Spruill and have a space

for you to add a second signature. Certificates are not intended

for every participant, but those who really shine. Available in

English, Spanish, French, and Portuguese.

International coastal cleanup annual report The International Coastal Cleanup report summarizes the results

from the Cleanup and includes the Marine Debris Index, the

only country-by-country, state-by-state, item-by-item accounting

of trash in the ocean. The annual report provides an analysis

of participation and data collected during the event, in addition

to acknowledging coordinators and sponsors.

Supply liST

you can eXpect to need 1-2 trash bags for every volunteer.

Therefore if you expect 1,000 volunteers, order 1,500—1,750 trash bags.

27


appendIX c

here are a Few points to keep in mind

• Delegate. You can’t do it all, and when you give volunteers

responsibility they will be more committed.

• Train. Give volunteers the facts they need to do their job,

but equally important, educate them about the problem of

marine debris and the global nature of the ICC so they feel

part of the greater effort.

• Balance. You need both the sustained energy of those who

will go out and get local sponsors and help with planning

and those who bring the exciting explosion of energy on the

day of the event.

• Look for leaders. For key volunteer positions like zone and

site captains, don’t pick the first to raise their hands. Watch

to see who shows up when they say they will, who shows

initiative. Then build a team of those leaders. Teamwork

avoids volunteer burnout; all flourish together.

• Focus. Put your energies into the areas where you will

realize the greatest benefit.

• Ensure repeats. First-time volunteers who have fun

at a well-organized, well-run event will want to return

and bring friends and family next year.

• Inspire and educate. actual Cleanup work in September

is just half the impact of your volunteers—the ripple effect

comes when they return to their neighborhoods and work

places and spread the word. They can learn a lot from the

report a Rising Tide of Ocean Debris and What We Can

Do about It, available at www.coastalcleanup.org

• Be flexible. Go with your own creativity and tailor your

strategy to your own local situation.

Tip ShEET: WOrkiNg WiTh VOluNTEErS

28


appendIX d

iNTErNaTiONal cOaSTal clEaNup BrOchurE

Distribute this brochure to raise awareness about the Cleanup. Contact Sonya Besteiro for the PDF

at 202-351-0493 or [email protected]

29


appendIX e

iNTErNaTiONal cOaSTal clEaNup pOSTEr

Ask local businesses, schools, and libraries to display this poster. Be sure to write the date, time, and place

of your local event along with contact information in the space provided. Contact Sonya Besteiro for the PDF

at 202-351-0493 or [email protected].

30


aDDiTiONal rESOurcEfOr BOaTErS: gOOD MaTE

The Good Mate Program, designed to raise awareness and

promote environmentally responsible boating and marina

operations, is an excellent resource for engaging boaters and

marinas in marine debris reduction or prevention. The program

focuses on six areas of importance: waste oil and fuel; sewage;

vessel maintenance chemicals and activities; solid waste and

marine debris; and environmentally safe vessel operations.

Recreational boaters and marina professionals will learn

important environmental background information and simple

pollution prevention techniques from the Good Mate eight-minute

video, “Good Mate – Stewardship of our Waterways,” and other

online resources. Visit www.oceanconservancy.org/goodmate.

appendIX F

good mate recreational boating and marina program

as a boater, you’re in a unique position

to be a true steward of our oceans, lakes,

and waterways.

dId you knoW?

• When spilled, a single quart of oil can create

a two-acre oil slick that’s the size of three

football fields.

• Releasing untreated sewage from a 20-gallon

holding tank has the same impact as discharging

several thousand gallons of treated sewage from

a treatment plant.

• Many cleaning products are safe to use in our

homes because household wastewater is usually

treated at treatment plants. When used on a boat,

they may spill or wash off directly into the water

and untreated.

• Using dish soap on a fuel or oil spill just sinks

the pollution to the bottom and into the sediment.

Use oil absorbent pads instead.

• It can take up to 200 years for an aluminum can

to degrade in the ocean.

31


appendIX g

safety First• Maintain a high adult-to-child ratio.

• Tell children not to reach into mud or

muck – “Just pick up what you can see.”

• Stay away from large drums or five-gallon buckets.

Report their location to the Cleanup coordinator

or proper authorities.

• Wear gloves to collect debris.

• Be careful with glass, syringes with needles, or other

sharp objects. Children should not pick up any of these

materials – they should ask an adult for help.

• Don’t lift anything heavy.

• Stay out of dunes, wetlands, and other sensitive areas.

• Watch for wildlife.

• avoid stepping on delicate plants.

• Notify your site captain immediately of any stranded,

injured, or entangled animals.

• avoid roads and stream banks.

• Stay out of the water.

• Watch out for poison ivy.

things to bring• Plenty of water

• Sunscreen and hat to protect yourself from the sun

• Insect repellent

• Shoes or sneakers that protect your feet – no sandals,

open-toe shoes, or flip-flops

• a camera to document volunteers in action

and any strange items you find

• Work gloves or rubber gloves

• Change of clothes – you may get wet and muddy

data collection• Review the data card before starting.

Read and follow all directions.

• Clean up all debris found on your beach or shoreline.

• Record information only on the items listed on the data card.

• Collect data as a team, with only one person recording

information on the data card while others pick up

and bag the trash.

• Count and tally items in groups of five and record

the total in the box.

• Do not write words like “lots” or “many.” Use numbers only.

• Be as accurate as possible. The more accurate

your information, the better we can work to reduce

and eliminate trash and debris pollution.

• Don’t collect natural items like driftwood or seaweed.

TipS fOr VOluNTEErS

stay aWay From large drums or five-gallon buckets. Report their location

to the Cleanup coordinator or proper authorities.

32


appendIX h

phOTO/ViDEO rElEaSE fOrM

photo/video release for ocean conservancy

Date ________________________________

I hereby give _______________________ (photographer/videographer) the unqualified right to take pictures/video

of me ___________________________ (subject). I understand that these pictures/video may be used in

ocean conservancy publications and or be used on ocean conservancy’s website. however, no names of

minor subjects will be published.

Subject’s signature ___________________________________________________________________________________________

Subject’s name (please print) _________________________________________________________________________________

Parent’s signature (if subject is minor child) __________________________________________________________________

Address _______________________________________________________________________________________________________

City ________________________________________ State _____________ Zip _____________ Country ___________________

Photographer _________________________________________________________________________________________________

Organization __________________________________________________________________________________________________

Description of what is shown in photo/video, including location ______________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

1300 19th street, nW

8th Floor

Washington, dc 20036 usa

202-429-5609 telephone

202-872-0619 Facsimile

www.oceanconservancy.org

Distribute to site captains for each volunteer to fill out on the day of the event.

33


appendIX I

DaTa DETEcTiVE pOSTEr

Give this to your site captains to use as part of the orientation they give volunteers about

the importance of the data and how to fill out the card on the day of the Cleanup.

34


iNTErNaTiONal cOaSTal clEaNupVOluNTEEr cErTificaTE Of apprEciaTiON

appendIX J

Use this certificate to recognize volunteers who have gone above and beyond.

Available from Sonya Besteiro at 202-351-0493 or [email protected].

35


iNTErNaTiONal cOaSTal clEaNup cOOrDiNaTOr rEpOrT fOrM

appendIX k

cleanup date zone name site name

land cleanups underwater cleanups

No. of people

Weight of Debris Collected lbs or kg

Distance Cleaned

mi or km

No. of Bags Filled

No. of people

Weight of Debris Collected lbs or kg

Distance Cleaned

mi or km

No. of Bags Filled

people, pounds, and miles

Please return the completed form to kate sherman ([email protected]) at Ocean Conservancy,

no later than november 15, 2009. also, be sure to clearly specify units for weight and distance - pounds (lbs)

or kilograms (kg); miles (mi) or kilometers (km).

Country/State __________________________________ Coordinator ________________________________________


8th Floor





Use this form to tally data for each Cleanup site. If you are not able to report the data online

(www.coastalcleanupdata.org), please fax, email, or mail the forms to Ocean Conservancy.

36


appendIX l

Whereas hundreds of thousands of dedicated volunteers with the International

Coastal Cleanup pick up millions of pounds of trash from the shores of the world’s

lakes, rivers, streams, and ocean on the third Saturday in September each year: and

Whereas the International Coastal Cleanup is the largest volunteer event of its

kind on behalf of ocean health; and

Whereas trash in the ocean and waterways is one of the most serious

pollution problems of our time, yet is entirely preventable; and

Whereas the information about the types and sources of that litter,

recorded by the volunteers, helps inform decision-making at the local,

national, and international levels; and

Whereas the good citizens of _________________ are joining people around

the world in starting a worldwide sea change by pitching in to pick up marine litter

on _______________________ (month/year) and working all year long to prevent

it from reaching the water in the first place,

thereFore, I ___________________ , Governor of the State of/Mayor of the City

of _____________ , do hereby proclaim ____________________________ (date)

as International Coastal Cleanup Day.

SaMplE prOclaMaTiON

Encourage government officials to recognize the International Coastal Cleanup with a proclamation.

They may want to use this language or write their own.

37


iNTErNaTiONal cOaSTal clEaNup SpONSOr liST fOrM

appendIX m

sponsor listPlease send us a list of up to ten local sponsors who supported your Cleanup event, exactly as you want it to be

published in the annual ICC report. Please provide headings if sponsors are grouped in categories (i.e., according

to high donors first, etc.) and then alphabetize within categories. Electronic format would be very helpful and ensure

accuracy (email to [email protected]) or fax to 202-872-0619.

due: as soon as possible, but no later than november 15

Country/State __________________________________ Coordinator ________________________________________

1._____________________________________________________________________________________________________

2._____________________________________________________________________________________________________

3.______________________________________________________________________________________________________

4.______________________________________________________________________________________________________

5.______________________________________________________________________________________________________

6.______________________________________________________________________________________________________

7.______________________________________________________________________________________________________

8.______________________________________________________________________________________________________

9.______________________________________________________________________________________________________

10._____________________________________________________________________________________________________


8th Floor





Use this list to report your sponsors to Ocean Conservancy.

38


appendIX n

CONTACT NAME

COMPANY/FOUNDATION NAME

ADDRESS

CITY, STATE ZIP

Dear CONTACT,

Thank you for speaking with me about the YEAR International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) in COUNTRY/STATE. It is my

pleasure to submit this letter of inquiry to COMPANY NAME to support the program in the amount of X,XXX.

COMPANY’s support of the ICC in COUNTRY/STATE will enable XXX volunteers to rid trash from their local rivers,

lakes, and beaches. Last year alone, nearly XXX volunteers removed XX pounds of litter and debris from XXX miles of

COUNTRY/STATE/CITY local waterways. As a company committed to protecting our natural resources and engaging

local communities, COMPANY NAME understands that public awareness and collaboration are needed to preserve the

health of the ocean and our water resources.

Marine litter is one of the most pervasive issues currently facing our rivers, lakes, beaches, and the ocean from the

quality of our drinking water to the health of our communities to the hazards imposed on our wildlife and even our

economy. Most of the items found littering the ocean—cigarette butts, beverage containers, bags, car parts and household

appliances—come as a result of activities that take place on land. Although marine debris is one of the most challenging of

problems, it is also one of the most preventable.

The Cleanup, which is typically held the third Saturday in September each year, presents an opportunity to engage people of

all ages and walks of life to remove trash from the world’s beaches and inland waterways while also raising public awareness

about the ways we can all work together to prevent marine litter from occurring in the first place. During the ICC, our

volunteers also record the pounds of trash they find at Cleanup sites—creating a global snapshot of the marine litter problem.

Once analyzed, this data is used to create a sea change in public attitudes and individual responsibility—it is our goal to bring

an end to litter in our communities and environment.

I look forward to working with COMPANY NAME on the YEAR ICC in COUNTRY/STATE to grow this volunteer

movement and promote greater environmental stewardship. If you have any questions about this letter of inquiry or the ICC

in COUNTRY/STATE, please do not hesitate to contact me at EMAIL or PHONE. Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

NAME

SaMplE lETTEr Of iNquiry fOr SpONSOrS

let sponsors know about the International coastal cleanup and opportunities for them to support this important work.

39


iNTErNaTiONal cOaSTal clEaNupSuMMary carD

appendIX o

Use one card per site to summarize data. Mail to Ocean Conservancy or submit online

at www.coastalcleanupdata.org. (Contact Ocean Conservancy for your username and password.)

40


oCeAn ConservAnCy’s internAtionAl CoAstAl CleAnup stAffDianne ShermanDirector, International Coastal Cleanup

202-280-6234

[email protected]

Sonya Besteiroassociate Director, International Coastal Cleanup

202-351-0493

[email protected]

Kate ShermanProject Coordinator, International Coastal Cleanup

202-351-0449

[email protected]

Dove CoggeshallDirector of Online Communications,

Ocean Conservancy

202-280-6294

[email protected]

Tom McCannDirector of Media affairs, Ocean Conservancy

202-351-0465

[email protected]

Catherine FoxWriter/Editor, Ocean Conservancy

202-280-6291

[email protected]

More Information For more information about the International

Coastal Cleanup (including our report A Rising

Tide of Ocean Debris and What We Can Do About

It and the Marine Debris Index) as well as Ocean

Conservancy’s other programs, contact:

Ocean Conservany’s International Coastal Cleanup1300 19th Street, NW

8th Floor

Washington, DC 20036 USa

Fax: 202-872-0619

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.coastalcleanup.org

ocean conservancy mIssIon

o cean Conservancy promotes healthy and diverse

ecosystems and opposed practices that threaten

ocean life and human life. Through research,

education, and science-based advocacy, Ocean

Conservancy informs, inspires, and empowers people

to speak and act on behalf of the ocean. In all its work,

Ocean Conservancy strives to be the world’s foremost

advocate for the ocean.

InternatIonal coastal cleanup mIssIon

i n partnership with volunteer organizations and

individuals across the globe, Ocean Conservancy’s

International Coastal Cleanup engages people to

remove trash and debris from the world’s beaches

and waterways, to identify the sources of debris, and

to change the behaviors that cause marine debris in

the first place.

Ocean Conserving Gratefully Acknowledges

its dedicated ICC sponsoring partners for their many contributions

to the ICC program all year-round. This includes supporting

our ongoing marine debris public awareness and prevention

program and providing our network of volunteer coordinators

in the United States and around the world with Cleanup supplies,

marine debris data cards, promotional posters, media materials,

training opportunities, and other services. Many of these partners

also engage thousands of their employees at ICC events around

the world to help remove marine debris from our ocean and

waterways. a current list of ICC sponsoring partners is available

at www.coastalcleanup.org.

41

Coordinators are the sea stars of the International Coastal Cleanup. Your remarkable work and dedication underpin the tremendous success of this amazing worldwide effort to call urgent attention to the marine debris problem and what we can do to solve it. Simply put, without you

there would be no International Coastal Cleanup.

thank you!

Ocean Conservancy | 1300 19th Street NW | 8th Floor | Washington, DC 20036 | 202.429.5609 | www.oceanconservancy.org

For the InternatIonal coastal cleanupcatherinefox.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/ICC_Handbook.pdf · International Coastal Cleanup volunteers don’t just clean up marine debris,

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